Let’s gear up for the holidays!

This year the Fight for $15 and Fairness will be asking everyone to sign a holiday postcard to their Member of Provincial Parliament. We want to make sure that all MPPs know that voters in their ridings are expecting MPPs to deliver decent work legislation in 2017.

Let us know right away how many postcards you can use in your community, campus or workplace and we’ll send them to you ASAP. To request postcards, send us an email atinfo@15andFairness.organd be sure to include your mailing address and the quantity of cards you need.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, we have revised the lyrics to a few holiday songs (click here to download the songbook). We hope you will join in some carolling as we collect signatures on holiday postcards. All it takes is a little advance practice, some elf hats and antlers, a few jingle bells, some candy canes, a dose of holiday cheer, and a dash of chutzpah! So let’s organize, sing, tweet, email and callout for $15 and Fairness for all workers! If you are interested in organizing an action on your campus or in your community, email us at info@15andFairness.org.

$15 AND FAIRNESS HOLIDAY CARDS In response to numerous requests, we have printed some limited edition $15 and Fairness holiday cards for personal use! These folding cards have the gorgeous artwork on the front, but they are blank inside so you can write your own notes to your friends and family, and each card comes with a custom-sized envelope.

You may order a package of 10 cards (& envelopes) for $15.00 per package (plus $5.00 postage & handling). For $60 you may order 5 packages (50 cards & envelopes) and we’ll pay the postage.

Supplies are limited and orders will be met on a “first come, first served” basis. Order yours now by emailing us atinfo@15andFairness.org. The deadline for ordering holiday cards is Friday, December 2 at noon, or until supplies last.

SIGN & SHARE: FAITH LEADERS’ STATEMENT We need your help raising awareness of this important statement signed by faith leaders. You may print copies of the statement to take directly to those you are inviting to sign on. (You can mail us the hard copies or take a photo and email them.)

Attention Students: There are numerous student-based faith groups on college and university campuses! We encourage you get in touch with campus-based faith leaders and invite them to sign the statement.

December 3TORONTO: SANTA’S HELPERS NEED A RAISE! 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Southeast Corner of Yonge and Dundasclick here for a mapLet’s get organized to celebrate the holidays and pay tribute to the workers who make our festive season possible. From farm workers to grocery store workers and from shopping centres to the LCBO, we simply couldn’t eat, drink, or be merry, without the hard work of these amazing people.To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here. To download the flyer, click here.

UPCOMING ACTIONS

November 12OTTAWA: OTTAWA-VANIER MAKE IT FAIR CANVASS 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | 405 St Laurent Blvd Ottawaclick here for a mapOn November 17, voters in the riding of Ottawa-Vanier will be electing a new Member of Provincial Parliament. Let’s make sure that fair labour laws and a $15 minimum wage are key issues in this byelection. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

November 12 & 13 TORONTO: CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm | Carlton Cinemaclick here for a mapThe Canadian Labour International Film Festival (CLIFF) is marking its 8th year with a fantastic lineup of Canadian and international films focusing on labour, workers and labour activists, both past and present. This year’s theme is “Workers Leading the Way” and reflects our desire to acknowledge all the work, dedication, and sacrifice workers have made to improve the lives of everyone, both inside and outside the workplace.To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

A Living Wage At the front lines of the struggle in Boston for a $15 minimum wage and union rights are Darius Cephas, a McDonald”™s fry cook, and Tiny Figueroa, barista at Dunkin”™ Donuts. Over the course of one year, this film follows Tiny and Darius as they organize for economic justice, help build a major grassroots social movement and force local politicians into action.

Pay Your Interns! This film is a brutally honest, unapologetic critique of the shady practice of Canadian employers turning a blind eye to the Employment Standards Act by “hiring” interns, who are expected to perform the work of a “paid” employee, for free.

November 14 TORONTO: STOP PRIVATIZATION INFO BLITZ 7:00 am to 9:00 am | Subway Stations across Toronto We are encouraging supporters of the Fight for $15 and Fairness to join with We Own It campaigners to make the connection between decent work and strong, publicly owned and delivered services. On Monday, head over to one of these subway stations to help spread the word: Dufferin Station – St George Station – Queen’s Park Station – Bloor/Yonge Station – Union Sta tion – Dundas Station – College Station – Wellesley Station – Eglinton Station. To download the flyer, click here.

TORONTO: POP-UP MEETING – PROTECT PUBLIC SERVICES 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm | Across from the Sheraton Centre (123 Queen Street West) click here for a map. On November 14, Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in closed-door meetings to hammer out schemes to privatize more and more of our public services. Privatization and public-private partnerships (P3s) are bad for all Ontarians. They cost more, deliver less, and give control of our public services and public assets to a wealthy few. When we privatize, we also eliminate decent jobs. The We Own It campaign will be hosting a “pop-up” public meeting to ensure our voices are heard. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here. To download the flyer, click here.

November 15QUEBEC CITY: DEMONSTRATE FOR $15+ 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | Assemblée nationale du Québec, 1045 rue des Parlementaires, Quebec City click here for a map. Supporters of the Fight for $15 in Quebec are organizing a demonstration outside the Quebec’s National Assembly. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

TORONTO: FIGHT FOR $15 AND FAIRNESS CITY-WIDE ORGANIZING MEETING 5:30 to 8:00 pm | Suite 223, 720 Spadina Avenueclick here for a mapJoin us for this next city-wide meeting of the Fight for $15 and Fairness. At this meeting, we will make time for some sector-wide and community-based caucuses. Help us plan our December 3 Holiday Action. Snacks at 5:30 pm – Meeting begins at 6:00 pm and finishes at 8:00 pm.To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

November 18TORONTO: FAIRNESS MEANS DECENT HOUSING FOR ALL 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm | Queen’s Park, Ontario Legislative Assembly click here for a mapThe Canadian government has promised to fix the affordable housing crisis with Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy. On November 22nd, they will announce what they have heard people across Canada say is needed in a National Housing Strategy. We are calling on the government to ensure our National Housing Strategy will guarantee everyone the right to safe, adequate, and affordable housing. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

November 20$15 AND FAIRNESS AT TORONTO’S SANTA CLAUS PARADE 10:00 am to 12:00 noon | Christie Stationclick here for a mapJoin us outside Christie station as we speak up and sing out for $15 and Fairness at the Santa Claus parade! We’ll be singing workers’ carols and handing out holiday treats! Come out and bring a friend! We’ll have petitions and leaflets ready to go, and together we’ll talk with passerbys about why we’re asking for $15 and Fairness this holiday season.To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

November 29TORONTO: FIGHT FOR $15 AND FAIRNESS CITY-WIDE ORGANIZING MEETING 5:30 to 8:00 pm | Suite 223, 720 Spadina Avenue click here for a mapJoin us for this next city-wide meeting of the Fight for $15 and Fairness. At this meeting, we will make time for some sector-wide and community-based caucuses. Help us plan our December 3 Holiday Action. Snacks at 5:30 pm – Meeting begins at 6:00 pm and finishes at 8:00 pm.To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

December 10BRAMPTON – MISSISSAUGA: MAKE IT FAIR ASSEMBLY 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Gore Meadows Community Centre, 10150 The Gore Road, Brampton click here for a mapAs Ontario prepares for the recommendations of the Changing Workplaces Review, we need to keep the pressure on MPPs to deliver on their promises for decent work. Join us for this public assembly to discuss what we can do to mobilize in our communities and ensure that 2017 is the year we make it fair.To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

A Word on the US ElectionTHE FIGHT FOR $15 SHOWS IT CAN TRUMP TRUMP Despite the terrible results of the US election, it is important to note that measures to raise the minimum wagewon in all four states where it was on the ballot(Washington, Colorado, Arizona and Maine). As a result some 2 million workers will be getting a wage increase. In two of these states, Washington and Arizona, the minimum wage ballot also included provisions for paid sick days that are similar to our own $15 and Fairness demands, with about one hour of paid sick days earned for every 30 or 40 hours worked. The victory in Arizona is especially important because, although Trump prevailed for President, the minimum wage/paid sick days ballot won 60% (in favour) to 40% (opposed). In fact, more people voted for the minimum wage increase than voted for Trump. Significantly, the minimum wage campaign was led by LUCHA – Living United for Change in Arizona with strong ties to the Latino community and other communities of colour. In South Dakota, another state where Trump received more votes than Clinton, voters defeated a proposal to introduce a lower minimum wage for workers under the age of 18.

This is all the more reason for us to re-double our effort in Ontario and across Canada and Quebec to build a strong, multi-racial, multi-faith, working class movement for decent work as an antedote to those who seek to divide us with bigotry and intolerence. Union and non-union, documented and undocumented — we need each other more than ever. Let’s take a moment to re-affirm our solidarity across sectors and across borders. Together, we can — and will — win.